If you drove a Porsche, you would drive by everyone’s house you know. A new Stingray? Heck, yeah you’re revving the engine past every other driver on the road. Big lifted expensive pickup truck? Oh, yeah you’re hanging your arm out the window, always! And if you had a Viper, the roof would never be on, now would it? But this list has nothing to do with vehicles like that, because, let’s face it, we can’t all afford these vehicles—nor do they fit in everyone’s life (although, you’d find a way if you could). If you drive any of the cars on this list, you’ve probably considered selling it more than once.

General Motors has released a bevy of new recalls which brings their total (for those keeping track) to 29 since the first of this year. That adds up to 13.6 million vehicles in the US which have needed some sort of repair due to factory defects. Some of those cars are counted more than once since several of the recalls covered more than one potential problem. I don't think that makes the figures any better.

Ford has released details for the 2015 Mustang due in showrooms this fall. It costs about $1000 more than the 2014, even though it hasn't had many major changes. The outgoing model sold for $23,335 while the new one is going for $24,425. Both prices are for base models.

When Volkswagen unveiled the mainstreamed redesigned Jetta in 2010, their loyal customer base had a collective cow. The new car felt cheap, and it lacked the overall refinement that long-time Jetta owners had come to expect. To avoid an outright revolt, VW decided to leave the old Mk6 Jetta Sportwagen in its lineup. It offered lots of space, a properly Teutonic interior, and the option of a manual-shift / diesel drivetrain. This hipster-speciale appeased the Jetta faithful, and it sold nearly as many copies per year as the Golf. But it's finally time to say goodbye to the trusty VW Jetta Sportwagen, and hello to its replacement, the 2015 Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen!

Nissan is issuing a voluntary recall for all 2011-2013 Juke crossovers due to an issue with the timing chain. The chain can deteriorate or distort over time and can fail due to this defect. The driver may or may not get a warning light to alert him to the problem. If a light does come on, the chain is likely to fail if not repaired.

I worked for several years as the office manager for Ugly Duckling Car Sales. It was a dealership of last resort and catered to people who found it impossible to purchase a vehicle at more reputable dealerships. It was policy to sell cars that were less than dependable, but if it rolled off the property any problems fell on the new owner. Or the dealership would give a “great deal” on another vehicle.

I call America a nation of “Missers”—people who avoid collisions through blind luck rather than awareness and talent—NOT "Drivers". Sure, there are exceptions, but we are few and far between. It is for this and who knows how many other misguided reason(s) that the government is mandating more and more “driver aids” (aka Idiot Over-Riders) tacked onto vehicles already stuffed with them in the name of "safety".

I’ve railed—admittedly, usually to myself—that the emphasis should be on driver education, not on adding electronics that make it possible for the worst-of-the-worst to not die in solo-car accidents like they should, to, as my dad would say, "thin the herd." Pumping money into education and training helps stop collisions from occurring, while the majority of electrissical bits are there to only mitigate how damaged you'll be after the fact.

I bring this up (here, anyway) only to at least tweak your thinking on what’s safe, both for you and your pocketbook.

[Here’s a hint: If you're a Driver, you were pretty much better off before today's big push towards “active” seatbelts, airbags, Traction- and Stability Control and…]

Before the summer ends, showrooms will be getting the first Mercedes-Benz all electric compact cars. The B-Class Electric Drive will be the most expensive EV on the market to date, starting at $42,375. The question is whether or not consumers will see enough value to choose it over the less expensive Nissan Leaf or Chevy Spark, both of which are almost half the price.